A 13-gallon trash can is the right choice for most kitchens and offices — it fits standard kitchen bags, takes up less floor space, and forces more frequent emptying that keeps odors manageable. Go to 20 gallons only if your household generates genuinely high trash volume.

The 13-gallon size (roughly 50L) became the default kitchen trash can because it matches the most widely available bag size and fits comfortably under or beside a standard counter. A 20-gallon trash can (roughly 75L) is better suited to larger households of four or more, garages, or utility rooms where bulk waste accumulates and bag cost per emptying matters more than footprint. Pouseayar's 13-gallon stainless models use a motion sensor lid and fit the same standard liner bags found at any grocery store.

  • 13-gallon trash cans measure approximately 50 liters — the standard size for kitchen bag compatibility.
  • 20-gallon trash cans measure approximately 75 liters — suited for households of 4+ or high-volume utility spaces.
  • Pouseayar 13-gallon sensor trash cans run on 4 AA batteries with a 5-second auto-close delay.
  • A 20-gallon trash can typically stands 2–4 inches taller and 2–3 inches wider than a 13-gallon model.
  • Standard kitchen trash bags are sized for 13-gallon cans; 20-gallon cans require a separate, less common bag size.

How to Choose

  • Pick the Pouseayar 13-gallon sensor trash can if: you're placing it in a kitchen or office where standard grocery-store liner bags need to fit without a separate purchase.
  • Pick a 20-gallon trash can if: your household of four or more fills a 13-gallon can every one to two days and wants to cut down on liner cost per emptying.
  • Pick the 13-gallon if: floor space is tight — the smaller footprint fits beside a cabinet base or under a countertop overhang where a 20-gallon won't clear.
  • Pick a 20-gallon if: the can is going in a garage, utility room, or mudroom where bulk waste like packaging or yard debris accumulates between weekly pickups.
  • Stick with the 13-gallon if: odor control matters — the smaller capacity forces emptying before waste sits long enough to become a problem in a heated indoor space.